A MULTI-million pound revamp of Guildford railway station has hit the buffers.

However, the owners of the station are still confident a scheme that would include modern transport facilities and three new platforms as well as homes and offices will still happen.

Network Rail has spent the last 18 months in negotiations with a property developer to get the £200 million building programme up and running.

This week Network Rail – the body which operates and owns all of Britain’s stations and track – said the deal had “fizzled out”.

With the hunt on for a new developer, any building firm successful in the bid for working on Guildford’s station could also pick up the contracts to revamp stations at Twickenham, Epsom and Enfield.

A further eight stations are being considered by Network Rail for up grades through partnerships with private business, including flagships such as Waterloo, Euston and Victoria.

Despite a hiccup in the Guildford deal, senior managers at Network Rail still have faith in building partnerships with the private sector to overhaul stations across the capital and the South East.

Mick Martin, director of commercial property at Network Rail, said: “By creating a genuine partnership with our commercial partners, with each of us retaining a 50% stake, we will maximise the value of the chosen sites.

“We will also develop sustainable income streams for improving the railway for years to come.

“We are determined to simplify the development process and reduce the cost and time taken to deliver successful and profitable developments.”

In adding platforms at Guildford station, Network Rail said it was addressing its “capacity issues”.

Iain Coucher chief executive of Network Rail said this week: “We are working hard to meet the challenge of ever higher passenger numbers. We’ve made great strides in recent years to increase the reliability and safety of the railways. Exciting new joint-ventures such as this [working with private business on station redevelopments] bring new investment for Network Rail to meet rising demand and improve the experience for everyone who uses the railway.”

Mr Coucher reiterated Network Rail’s commitment to work with major developers to upgrade stations. “Our selected development partner and Network Rail will benefit from the best of both worlds. Our unique expertise in the railways and their specialist skills in understanding the property market. Together we will build a long-term relationship to unlock the potential of our many inner city sites.”